Device for dampening and folding collars.



PATENTED Dnc.' 1o, 1,901.V v E. G. SKINNBR. DEVICE PoR DAMPBNIN'G AND'FOLDING ooLLARs.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 29. 1905.

THE nomas PzrERs ca., WASHINGTON, D.

EMILY G. SKINNER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

' l DEVICE FOR DAMPENIG AND FOLDING COLLARS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec, 1o, 1907.

Application filed November 29, 1905. Serial No. 289,680.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, EMILY G. SKINNEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ,a Device for Dampening and Folding Collars, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a device for dampening and folding collars, and more particularly to a device for dampening and folding a wing-point collar on the fold-line.

The object of this invention is the production of a simple, inexpensive, and effective device of this character in which provision is made to dispense with false-movements, by which is meant useless movements and work brought on by the arrangement and operation of the machines for this purpose now in use.

My invention is designed to dampen the surface of the wing-point of4 a collar as well as the foldortion thereof, and permit simultaneous olding of the point thus preparing the collar for the wing-point ironer, to which this device may be attached or located in close proximity thereto s'o that thecollars may be finished when dampened and turned, without removing from the hands. Another object of my inventionis to so construct the device that the buttonfhole tabs of the collar are held out of contact with liability of cracking the collar, to' provide means to permit the folding of collars of all styles and sizes of wing-points, and to otherwise improve on collar dampeners and folders now in use.

With these objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement,

and combination of parts to be hereinafter described and particularly defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawingsf-Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved device. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 2 2, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the casing which also serves as a pad support.

In orderv that the invention may be fully understood, I will now describe thesame in detail, like numerals of reference referring to like parts in the several figures.

The reference numeral 5 designates a' steam-chamber having a laterally entering steam inlet-pipe 6 provided at its inner end with a restricted port 7 of a size to permit the entrance of the proper quantity of steam into the steam-chamber. The latter is of a comparatively small diameter, and the steam issuing through said port is directed at an angle to the length of the chamber, and strikes against the wall of the latter at a point opposite the point of entrance. At the lower end of the chamber a watereoutlet Sis provided into which is fitted a drainpipe 9 having a restricted opening 10. A steam-outlet 11 is provided at the upper end of the steam-chamber, into which is fitted a pipe or nipple 12 entering the box or casing 13, which is preferably cast in one integral piece to avoid 'seams and the consequent packing of the same. Said casing is substantially of semi-cylindrical contour and comprises, a top wall 141, a bottom wall 15, a straight front wall 16, and side and rear walls merging into one semi-circular wall 17. The upper surface of the top wall is provided near its front edge with a groove 18 arranged parallel with said edge, and with a series of parallel grooves 19 arranged at right-angles to the groove 18 and preferably connecting therewith.

A series of perforations 20 are formed in the upper wall and open into the groove 18. Similar perforations 21 are formed in said wall and open into several of the grooves 19, said perforations 2-1 being arranged in diagonal rows for a purpose to appear-hereinafter. As shown in Fig. 4, the top wall is imperforate directly above the inlet of the casing and the steam coming in contact therewith at this point, is consequently diffused and escapes through. perforations 20, 21.

A pad or cover 22 of absorbentmaterial, such as cotton, felt, etc., is placed over the casing and is secured to the latter by a combined clamp and fold-device 23, comprising a fold-plate 24 semi-circular, or substantially so, in contour, and having depending lips 25 which are soldered or otherwise secured to a 'and the pad 22.

clamping-band. 26 surrounding the casing curely clamp the pad to the easing and may be adjusted on the casing so that a space 27 5 of the desired size may be provided between said pad and the fold-plate 24., into which the Wings of the collars are thrust. 'lhe clamping-band has its ends terminating in outstanding ears 28 through which passed a clamping-screw 29, for drawing the bandY firmly around the casing with the pad between the two. By moving the clampingband vertically on the casing, the space between the pad and fold-plate may be varied,

to meet the requirements of the different eollars. Itis to be noted that for turning wingpoint collars, the front edge of the fold-plate is straight, and preferably parallel with the straight front side of the casing; said edge being positioned above and sligl'itly in rear of the perforations 20.

In order to make the device as small and compact as possible, yet provide for the dampening and folding of the wing-points of different sizes, the fold-plate is separated from the clamping-band, except at points Where the lips 25 are located which serve to support and maintain the fold-plate in proper relation to the clamping-band. B v

this arrangement the points of all wings larger than the average may project at the rear of the casing through the openingbetween the fold-plate and the clamping-band, While permitting the fold-line to be brought,

into proper position with're'f'erenee to the folding edge of said plate.

The steam entering the steam-Chamber, strikes the Wall of the latter opposite the inlet thereof and passes up into the casing,

issuing therefrom through the perfo ations therein, and saturating or moistening the pad or covering 22 to the desired extent.

By reason of the perforations 2O being ar-' ranged close together and in a direct line. a

small-quantity of steam issues through the pad or covering on said line and comes in contact with the fold-line of the collar: said pad or covering being moistened to a greater extent at this point than at other points.

The steam condensing, Vfills the grooves and serves to maintain the pad or covering in a moist condition. The water of condensation drips back into the steam-chamber, and by reason of the steam entering said chamber at a right-angle to the flow of the water the Water with it, thus avoiding undue moistening of the pad or covering.

By arranging the perforations 2] indiagonal rows, assurance is had that the pad or covering is moistened at all times over an area conforming to the triangular shape of Said band serves to sel the wings ofy collars; and that the wings are properly dampened irrespective of their size. The. button-hole tabs project over tht` sides of the device and are therefore held out of contact with the dampening-pad.

ln operation, the collars which have been ironed preparatory to folding or turning the wings, are arranged within convenient reach ofthe operator. Successively they are taken up, and the wings thereof thrust underneath the fold-plate to bring` the fold-line to the edge of said plate and over the apertures 2t): the collar is then turned over the edge of the plate and without removing from the hands is placed on a wii'ig-ironer for the linishing touches. Then thrust under the fold-plate, the wing of the collar is moistened to the desired degree by contact with the pad or covering 22; and along the fold-line it subjected to a greater moistening action to permit of its being turned over the edge of the plate without liability of cracking.

The arrangement herein shown may he extended for turning f fold or turn-over collars and other starched and ironed articles, and l therefore wish to be understood, that changes may be made in the size thereof, without departing from my invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, so that starched and ironed articles of all kinds may be turned. p

Having thus described my invention, what .l claim is,

l. A device for dampening and folding collars, comprising a casing having a st `am inlet and a series of steam-esca] t apertures, a covering of absorbent material for said casing, a fold-plate above said casing and separated therefrom by an intervening space, and means to support said fold-plate and simultaneously hold said absorbent material on the casing.

2. A device Yfor dampening and folding collars, comprising a casing having a steaminlet and a series of steam-esclu t apertures, a covering of absorbent material for said casing7 and a coml'iined fold and clamp-device consisting of a clamping-lmnd to clamp the covering to the 'asing and a fold-plate supported by said clamping-baml, said foldplate having its fold-edge in proximityto said apertures.

il. A device for dampening and foldingI collars, comjirising a casing having a steaminlet and its upper surface provided with grooves and having also `am-es rape apertures opening into said grooves, a covering of absorbent material for said easing, and a con'ibined clamp and fold-device consisting of a clamping-band surrounding said covering to secure the same to the casing and a Yfold-plate positioned above said covering and supported by said clamping-band.

'-t. A device for dampening and folding collars, comprising a casing of semi-circular contour and having its upper side provided with a groove adjacent to and parallel with the straight side of said easing and a series of parallel grooves arranged at right-angles 5 to the rst mentioned groove7 a series of apertures in the easing opening into said first mentioned groove, a second series of apertures in the easing arranged in diagonal rows and opening into said parallel grooves, 10 and a foldeplate supported on the casing and arran ed above said last mentioned grooves, said old-plate being separated from said casing by an intervening space.

In testimony whereof7 l have aflixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing 15 Witnesses.

EMILY G. SKINNER. Witnesses: 1

MAY F. SEWERT, EMIL NEUHART. 

